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Mar 17, 2011

I started this blog about seven months ago, simply because I wanted a place to put all the crap that runs through my head on a daily basis. For the most part, I really thought I was just giving myself an online diary and an outlet for the writing that I miss so much in my everyday life. I never, ever expected some of the extras that have come along with blogging, which in many ways have become even more valuable to me than the blog itself.

For starters, blogging has opened my eyes to the world of Twitter. I'll be honest, I'm somewhat tech-savvy when I need to be, but for the longest time, Twitter had simply baffled me. I couldn't easily follow the conversations. But because I wanted to find a way to connect with other bloggers out there, and I knew all the cool bloggers were using Twitter, I found my way through it (and before you write me off as a total idiot, it wasn't at all as hard as I thought it would be, from the outside looking in). And I'm so glad I did! Approximately zero of my in-real-life friends were using Twitter when I first started, which meant that I was diving in to connect with total strangers. Turns out, this is easier in DC than any other city, as we're apparently the most Twitter-friendly city around! And I believe this to be absolute truth. As I've learned, the DC Twitter community is fairly small and tight-knit. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone is so friendly! It's been fun, to say the least. (And don't forget to follow me, either! I'm SassyMarmalade there, too.)

Without a doubt, however, I can say that the best part of blogging for me has been meeting other lady bloggers. I've been lucky enough to meet and start friendships with a few fabulous women: Mary El, A Single Girl DC, Katie and What Jane Wore. (And while I haven't actually met the fabulous lady behind A Flying Stiletto, I know enough from our email exchanges that she's in the same class.) Over a recent dinner at The Dirty Martini - the newly revamped space that once housed 1223 - with Mary El and A Single Girl DC, we got to talking about this same topic.

Mary El told us about a recent article she read (which she also blogged about) basically discussing the concept of Mean Girls versus Gamma Girls and whether we ever grow out of those personalities we develop in middle school and high school. To pull from Mary El's summary, “Alphas,” or Mean Girls – are those "girls who 'selectively [pass] along information' and are 'driven by external social hierarchies or other indicators of status or popularity'" while Gamma Girls are "women who 'share and exchange information, ideas, opinions, contacts and recommendations' and are 'guided by [their] internal beliefs, passions and priorities.'"

While the article suggests that Mean Girls grow up and become Gamma Girls, it didn't take long for us to share stories and determine that we each encounter Mean Girls in our grown-up lives on a regular basis. And while we bonded over these similar experiences, we also realized something else: WE are Gamma Girls and that's why we are drawn to each other and have become friends so easily.

A little later that evening, while laughing and sharing more stories, talking about A Single Girl's new handbag waiting for her at home and Mary El's recent date-gone-wrong, the manager came up to chat with us. When he told us that they will soon be opening their patio, which will be the largest outdoor bar in DC, we came to an easy decision: what better place to host a joint happy hour, just as the warm weather (finally) arrives in DC?! The manager introduced us to the owner, who then introduced us to their "mixologist" once we mentioned the possibility of a signature drink (A Single Girl hosts a monthly happy hour and has a specialty cocktail - The Singletini - named for her). They were excited! And while we might not know what will be in that drink just yet, we already know what it will be called: "The Gamma" of course! Can't wait to provide y'all with more details once we work them out.

And in the meantime, I'll be honest and say that times are a little tough in my neck of the woods these days. The Dude leaves next Friday, and while I've sat down a few times to try and pour out my emotions through my keyboard, I'm just not there yet. I can't tell whether I'll crawl into a hole and hide for awhile or spew my sadness all over the interwebs. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Until then, there's no one better to lean on than a true Gamma Girl. And let me tell you, these girls are the real deal and I'm lucky to have met them.